Rights at work whilst pregnant?

[nikkisbump]

Sorry this is a bit long... I'm hoping someone can help me!

I work in an office, and do a different shift each week. This means
Week 1: 8am - 4.30pm
Week 2: 9am - 5.30pm
Week 3: 11.30am - 8pm
Week 4: 2pm - 10.30pm then back to Week 1 again...

This has all been OK, but recently I have been feeling exhausted and drained which leads me to feel unhappy, teary (utter shit!) and I'm not as productive at work.

Around two weeks ago at work, I was taken into a meeting where my manager told me I wasn't the same Nikki as I was a few weeks ago and I was making mistakes (although he could not name an example when asked). I'm normally confident and hard working and was gutted when he said this, it shattered my confidence and I felt really stupid. It's stressing me out a little bit!

He also mentioned (I did not prompt or ask for this...) that he was considering putting me onto a single shift so that I work 9am until 5.30pm until the end of my pregnancy but not to get my hopes up and he would think about it. I asked him whether he had considered this yesterday and he said it would not work.

I had a meeting with him today and asked him if he could reconsider taking me off the latest shift. I outlined everything I have said above about being tired, down, less productive etc and he said "Being pregnant alone is not a viable enough reason for me to consider a shift change. I would need you to present me with a clear list of reasons that outline as to why you think you cannot work these shifts. The reasons you have pointed out already are not viable or sufficient"

Now, I know that I could work these shifts if forced, but I know I am only going to feel worse and worse, and I will make more and more mistakes. I feel really upset that he would point blank refuse, and make me feel unreasonable for asking. Just to point out, I will be working my 36th week of pregnancy until 10.30pm and I know I am going to feel awful!

I can't afford for my maternity to start any earlier either.

Arrrgghh! What do I do? Am I just being a wuss?!

I meant to say, I'm 25 weeks pregnant now.

Not an HR bod but have you had a Health and Safety assesment? What did they say about your hours?

May be worth seeing your GP/Midwife to see if they could put something in writing for you to show your HR

How much annual Leave do you have left? Would taking a day (or two) off every 4th week be an option.

Could you see your GP and get a note referring to something like 'pregnancy-related fatigue'?
The way I had it explained to me (though not at the time when I was actually having trouble, unfortunately) was that pregnancy per se isn't a reason for giving you special treatment but medical problems that arise as a result of pregnancy are.

all pregnant ladies must have a risk assessment to determine if aspects of their job are harmful. Look this up on the internet.

Yes they absolutely should be doing a risk assessment and your pregnancy is a good enough reason to consider swapping shifts if it's going to make you more productive and a better worker. And keep you safer.

The NCT have a fantastic publication called "Returning to Work: A Guide for employers". It covers from when you first tell them you're pregnant and has sections on risk assessments. They also have a guide for parents too. Have a look here you'll find links to the documents at the bottom of the page.

I am going to suggest my employer uses these as their training for managers with regard to maternity as current provision is at best inadequate, at worst none-existant.

"he could not name an example when asked"

Well, he ought to be able to. After all, he planned the meeting; he had time to gather his material!

Go to your GP, explain what is happening and they will more than likely sign you off if your working shifts may have an effect on your health.
What is most important is the well-being and health of you and your baby.

If a risk assesment has not been done (and it MUST be a risk assessment for New and expectant mothers) then under the Health and Safety at Work Act it needs to be done asap. This would have then picked up any risks to you, factoring in shift patterns etc, working arrangements etc. For example - is a place to rest being provided for you?

Your boss does not sound like he is managing this very well, and I am appalled that you have gone to 25 weeksand they are making things difficult for you.

If anything, God forbid, happened as a result of them not making things a bit easier for you they could find themselves in very hot water.

Good luck x

Have a look at this also:

www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg373.pdf

Hi - HR bod here, hope this helps..... please bear in mind though that this is advice for this board and not perhaps the advice I would give to a business etc!

Go to your GP and ask that he write to your employer stating that working your current shift pattern is having a detrimental effect on your health / pregnancy. Most GP's, when you give your details, will do this at the drop of a hat. Once your employer has this they will need to take this medical advise - would be pretty risky for them if they didn't. FYI - you should not suffer any financial loss associated with any amendment to your shift pattern - shift premiums / payments should continue to be applied as if you were working them.

Finally and fyi - many risk assessments which have been done for posts will automatically have included risk for pregnant workers or women of childbearing age so your employer may already have one in place. You can ask to see this if you felt so inclined....

Hope this helps and good luck!